Sunday, May 19, 2013

Now that the thing is at an advanced enough state, let me acknowledge you what will be our next 1:72nd scale SCW model: this is to be no other than the Catalan made IGC Sadurní d'Anoia assault tank, carrier and tractor, a model ever before released in any material --either metal, resin or plastic--, except for a hobby shop in El Vendrell town that dared, a lot of years ago, to make it as a vacuform model.

Here below you can see what does its assault tank version look like:

In spite of some advanced features, as well as it high mechanic reliability, the assault tank version was never approved for production, due to its designers not having foreseen a rotating turret capable of carrying a heavier weaponry than the standard-designed front machine gun. However, both its carrier and artillery tractor versions were produced in some numbers and delivered to the Aragon Front, where the Republican lack of armour was dramatic. A number of them were still active at the start of the Ebro Battle.

IGC Sadurní, assault tank version

IGC Sadurní, universal carrier version

IGC Sadurní, artillery tractor version

The artillery tractor version will come with a 155mm Schneider gun and crew.

Monday, May 6, 2013

We are proud to show you the master prototype of our first Spanish Civil War model in 1:56th scale: the stylish (and somewhat pulp-ish) Hispano Suiza MC-36 armoured truck, a huge beast measuring some 13cm long at this scale! Thanks to the picture above, you can see what it looks like with its MG-armed standard turret...

...and below, its dreadful look when improved with the turret of a cannibalized T-26!

The prototype will be delivered tomorrow to the resin caster, for starting the master moulds making --after some slight polishment, likely. I wouldn't look as too optimistic at forecasting, but it seems quite probable for us to be able to have the ultimate resin model available within this month --or June, probably.

Our most sincere thanks to all those who have been supporting us so far. You won't be deceived.

(Apologies for the so obvious faulty alignment of wheels --I could only use BlueTac for a provisional assembly before sending the prototype to the mould maker!)

Friday, May 3, 2013

After the huge financial effort due for releasing up to three new models in so a short period of time around Saint George's Day (1:100 Panzer IA, 1:72 Pz.Befehlswagen IB and 1:72 T-26 tank), we should better stop for a while and breath...

...but we won't, though. As our firm slowly grows and earns a reputation of its own, we've committed ourselves to keep a pace that maybe some would judge a bit slow, but otherwise is willingly a steady one –as regular and firm as we can.

And what's on the workbench right now?

Hard to answer in few words –but we'll try: our T-26 tank has already been re-scaled into 1/100
. It will be our next model in plastic, for sure.

Along with it, we've started to design a new model, to be released in resin at 1/72 scale first. Please allow us to still keep some secrecy around this new AFV id. For the moment, we can just say it will be a vehicle never before produced in any scale or material. Oh, and it will include a couple of surprise accessories –for if the model itself wasn't a surprise enough...

Oh, some other designs have also been started, naturally: who wouldn't give a chance to good old Renault FT-17, for instance? Following our philosophy of allowing several assembly options for every model, we shall include Berliet and Renault turrets in sprue, as well as the command casemate version. Also, such is the case of another model we've been often asked for: BA-6 armoured truck, of course. We're still studying design as to give the model several assembling options –that might go either around the alternative BT-2 turret some BA-6 were fitted, or to allowing it to be built as an early BA-I.

Additional 1/56 models, when?

Soon, pretty soon... Some patience is still needed. Once the above commented Hispano Suiza is released, we shall see. Apologies for that much caution, but finance is a risky business nowadays...

Any other plans?

Oh yessssssss, lots of these. Up to three new period ranges, for instance. A first design will be started soon regarding one of these. Some talking has just begun on a second one, and (last but not least) a third project is currently being pondered –what about some Lace Wars, for instance?